Keep Your Web Browsing Habits Private

Did you know that the search engines keep track of your search history via cookies and their massive databases? The search engines collect and store information on your searches and attach them to your IP address, and if you're logged into one of their services, this information is also attached to your online identity. To avoid this tracking of your Web surfing, read Preston Gralla's article, "Seven ways to keep your search history private."

Also beware if you have installed Internet Explorer 7. If you turn on the "phishing filter" tool, the URL's you visit will be sent to Microsoft. According to IE7's help:

"When you use Phishing Filter to check websites automatically or manually, the address of the website you are visiting will be sent to Microsoft, together with some standard information from your computer such as your computer's IP address, browser type, and Phishing Filter version number. To help protect your privacy, the address information sent to Microsoft is encrypted using SSL and limited to the domain and path of the website you are visiting. Other information that might be associated with the web address, such as search terms, information you entered in forms, or cookies, will not be sent."